'When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses not zebras' - the old adage is well-known to GPs but what should you do when faced with a zebra, not a horse? Consultant cardiologist Professor Robert Tulloh and GP Dr Louise Tulloh kick off our new series with their advice on how to catch Kawasaki disease in general practice.

HEE claimed it had 'always been clear' that the incentive payment would be 'subject to relevant deductions and payments' but, at the same time, Pulse has learned that in some parts of England trainees have received larger sums.

Dr Samira Anane, chair of the BMA’s GP Trainee Committee, said the amounts trainees have been paid vary hugely around the country.

But she said: 'It’s fair to say a bursary is not taxed and, if that is indeed what the payment is, one would think that the £20,000 would be given in full and not subjected to deductions.

'I have not had sight of offer letters or the terms and conditions and so it would be difficult to comment as to how "fully informed" trainees were.'

She added some trainees may be 'put off' once they learn they would not receive the incentive, which is being repeated this year, in full. She added trainees should challenge the decision where deductions were made.

A GP who took up an incentivised training post on the Isle of Wight last August, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Pulse she had spoken to HMRC 'a few times' before joining the scheme and is now critical of the HEE's billing of the programme.

She told Pulse: 'HMRC said “as long as it’s marked as a bursary it shouldn’t be taxable” but two months later HEE changed everything it had online and the word “bursary” disappeared from everything.

'It’s just the fact that [HEE] marketed it as a bursary and then changed it. For them to now say they’ve always been clear about that, but accept they’ve then had to change the website. It’s clearly not clear.'

But a HEE spokesperson said: ‘We have always been very clear that this is a one-off salary payment and as such is subject to the relevant deductions and payments.’

When pressed on why it had originally been billed as a bursary, they added: ‘It has always been the case that this is a salary supplement and not a bursary.

'We clarified this so applicants are clear this is not a tax free payment and as such will be subject to the relevant deductions and payments.’

The HEE website advises trainees to talk to their local tax office about exemptions, and Pulse understands some trainees in the West Midlands have managed to claim back tax for their individual arrangements.

In a separate concern, Pulse further understands some deaneries attempted to pay out the 'one-off' supplement in monthly instalments, rather than as a lump sum.

The Isle of Wight trainee said this happened in her area but following challenge, the payment was made in one instalment, accompanied by an apology letter from the deanery (seen by Pulse).

She said: 'I was expecting it as soon as we started the job in August. I had stupidly bought a house and was waiting for the money.'

Dr Anane said the BMA had challenged a number of deaneries which had tried to pay out the supplements in instalments.

Readers' comments (13)

Welcome to Primary Care. This is just your introduction to NHSE and the UK government.
I am sure I should say to you - GP is the best profession and you will live happily ever after but I'll risk the ire of
Prof Stokes-Lampard by hinting the truth that this sh** is not worth sinking into further. Complete your training and look to diversify or leave for OZ/NZ/Canada. Don't be left at the mercy of a hideous NHSE/DoH or expect RCGP/BMA/GPC to do anything to improve your lot.

LOOK, THESE DAYS IT IS ALL ABOUT CHEATING DOCTORS, TRICKERY AND OTHER ILLUSIONS...ANYTHING TO SAVE MONEY.
THE ONLY AREA LEFT TO SAVE MONEY WOULD BE TO DEFAULT ON PENSION PAYMENTS, MAYBE FORCE DOCTORS TO WORK UNTIL 85-90 YEARS OLD AND THE REST.

WE ARE CONSIDERED WORTHLESS CANNON FODDER-TO BE USED, ABUSED AND THEN DISCARDED IF WE ALL CRACK UP. THERE IS NO HONOUR, NO MORALS AND NO LONG TERM THINKING.

THE ATTITUDE IS CLEAR...IF WE DON'T LIKE IT THEN **** *** SO LET'S DO IT-LET'S ALL **** *** THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT SO GIVE 'EM WHAT THEY WANT.

LET THE DAILY NUTTER AND JEREMY HUNT GET MARRIED AND HAVE SMALL HUNTS AND RUN THE SERVICE OFF A CLIFF.

Because if you are expecting £20,000 and move the the Isle of Wight you might budget for housing, cars, living etc accordingly and suddenly find yourself £9k less than you expected due to HEE incompetence or misrepresentation.

Moosa,
As a hospital Doctor why read this?
I suspect if you suddenly had no training budget, a joke if a Royal College and had to pay £8500 per year indemnity you may be less happy and more likely to not question your colleagues objections.

Jeez hospital docs must have it really bad if they think 11k is good money to go and live somewhere you don't want to. probably spend half of it visiting your friends who live where u wish u were.
Its the lie that gets me. To say its a bursary then pretend they never said that. Despicable.
This is why I cant imagine ever entering in to a partnership again. Even if things were good again you know it would be short lived and they would screw you ASAP.

Don't even say it in jest! Our Ponzi pension scheme is in their sights. Many of us in late 40's have already been forced out of the scheme by the cap. What hope that HMGov will pay our NHS pensions once they have scrapped the NHS and there is no one to go on strike on the pensioners behalf?